A/N: Hello again, everyone! For those who watch Criminal Minds: Evolution, it was another good episode with some twists and turns. And it's halfway to the season.

Just like one step at a time, I'm takin' one day at a time.

Élise stood on the brick steps, watching her detail place her carry-on luggage in the back of the black Suburban. Her hand was tucked in the pocket of one of her favorite black dresses, and she carried her hobo bag held by her elbow. She heard the front door open and close.

"Ready for your multicity trip?" Spencer asked as he and his wife watched the kids hop into the vehicle's backseat.

Élise had a swig of her carbonated San Pellegrino bottled water. "I'm not even on the plane yet, and I'm already so nervous."

Dr. Paterson allowed Élise to travel domestically and internationally since she was in good health, as well as the baby, and wrote up a list of tips on what to do and what not to do. Her first stop was in the captivating city of New York for a couple of days, and she returned to D.C. just in time for the department's Survivor Tree in recognition of 9/11. Then, for the first time ever, she'd visit Zürich, Switzerland, for the weekend, and then the final stop of her tour was The Hague in the Netherlands.

Spencer steadily rested his hand on Élise's back. "Now remember what Dr. Paterson said: check in with medical doctors after every arrival and before every departure, don't eat anything raw, unpasteurized, undercooked, tainted…"

"Spencer, babe," Élise faced him again before she stopped him at the opened car door. "Carrying a little human being inside me is not my first rodeo. I know the drill on what to do and what not to do." She caressed his cheek.

"Okay…"

Spencer was ready to repeat something when Élise mindfully interrupted him. "And yes, I will call you at every chance I get." He replied with a kiss to her head. "Day, afternoon, night." His words were filled with warmth and reassurance.

Later that afternoon, Spencer hunched over his desk in the BAU bullpen. He had finished up the last of his paperwork and scribbled some baby names on a clean-lined paper sheet (he still didn't mind doing some things 'old-school') on his clipboard. Though he hasn't told the team about the pregnancy, Spencer preferred putting that off for a few more weeks.

"Hey-hey-hey, my BAU people!" carrying a box, Garcia's voice cracked the office, getting the attention of some of the agents there while some focused on the flat screen television. What was on right now was local news around the D.C. metro before the news shifted to a BREAKING NEWS banner with the caption reading AG AND VP IN NYC.

A female news correspondent voiced the report along with a live recording of Élise and the vice president being greeted by the city's mayor. "The Vice President and Attorney General arrive in New York City to announce a multimillion grant plan to tackle the national backlog of untested sexual assault kits."

Élise appeared on the screen; along with her were two distinguished men with graying white hair, the VP, and a woman in her early fifties in a pantsuit before it got to a short recording of Élise giving a speech.

The recording changed to a photograph of Élise and the VP at a meeting with the city's DA and the other woman.

Garcia carried a large package and rested it on JJ's desk. "It's from our good friend from across the pond, Emily Prentiss," she began speaking in a British accent and used a pair of scissors to open it. She pulled out gift sets loaded with the most adorable (and kind of expensive) baby clothes and accessories: "From Burberry to Stella McCartney; from Rosie Pope to Ralph Lauren. JJ's gonna love it—I already have my giant gift basket."

JJ had her second child, a boy, and is currently on maternity leave and will not return for a few months.

Garcia sighed heavenly. "Oh, I can't wait for another BAU baby, but I want some girl power up in here. I would have said baby girl power, but I pretty much have that trademarked."

Isaac sat in his assisted table seat with a couple of friends, Charlotte and Oliver, coloring within the lines when Ms. de la Cruz and Ms. Vargas clapped their hands to get the little ones' attention. "Okay, class. We want to talk to you all about today," said Ms. de la Cruz.

Ms. Vargas sighed. "Today is September 11th. Have any of you kids heard of 9/11." A couple of them, including Isaac and Charlotte, raised their hands.

"Well, today, on 9/11, airplanes crashed into the Twin Towers, which were these very tall buildings in New York City…"

Séraphine's Pre-K class was also learning about 9/11. Her teachers, Mrs. Ortega and Ms. Reyes explained the event to the class: "…Very bad people tricked other people and stole the airplanes."

Ms. Reyes continued on. "There were so many brave people on that day: firefighters, police officers, and even everyday people who went to help others."

"We remember today to honor those who have sacrificed their lives so we can be safe." Mrs. Ortega finished on a rather emotional note.

It felt almost weird that, in a way, yesterday was tomorrow. Since Élise left at around six on the flight from D.C., it's already nighttime, like two o'clock in the morning. And in Zürich, Switzerland, it's currently eight in the morning. At least she caught some Zs on the way there. The captain announced they'd arrived in Zürich.

Nevertheless, once Élise woke up and turned to see the aerial view of the city, she tried to keep her mouth from dropping open. The views of the airport, the Swiss mountains, and the city itself were absolutely breathtaking, particularly the quarter of Hardbrücke with the Prime Tower—she did her research on the city.

This was the first time—ever—she'd been to Switzerland. Even after winning the lottery years ago, after her eighteenth birthday, she has always wanted to go to Switzerland. Especially after watching The Sound of Music many times since she was a child, though the movie was primarily filmed in Austria. And for many good reasons. Switzerland is the birthplace of the Red Cross, famous for its neutrality and multilinguistic (four languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh), and the headquarters to most of the world's foremost international institutions, including the WTO, the WHO, the ILO, FIFA, and the UN. And cuisine: the chocolates, cheeses (she can't have certain ones due to her pregnancy), the Alps, and scenery.

Once everyone received their luggage, one of the flight attendants, Dana, opened the hatch, and everyone marched down the rocky staircase onto the runway. The weather seemed mildly cool, but at least it was pleasantly sunny.

The country's President, Federal Chancellor, and Attorney General warmly greeted Élise, who hoped she would enjoy her time in their country. After the agents loaded the luggage into the back, Élise climbed in first; one female agent joined her while the male agent got into the driver's seat, strapped himself in, and stepped on the gas.

It was four thirty in the afternoon, meaning it was time to pick up Séraphine and Isaac from their after-school classes. Spencer threw the strap for his favorite vintage-styled bag over his shoulder when he felt for his phone in the bag and pulled it out. He read the caller ID and saw it was Élise. He answered and held the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

"What's up, babe?" said Élise and yawned afterward.

"Last time I checked, Ms. AG, it's nighttime, and the AG needs to sleep."

Élise moaned. "Even I can sacrifice a few minutes of beauty sleep to talk to my man. And I'll talk to the kids later, before bedtime. So, how are things on the BAU side? Any new team member yet?"

"Nothing yet," Spencer replied. "But I'm hoping so. How's Switzerland so far?"

"I can see why Switzerland's known to be perfect. Looking around Zürich, I mean it's like being in a fairy tale. And the food…"

Spencer couldn't help but make a small reminder. "Remember, nothing involving unpasteurized, unwashed fruits and vegetables, raw dough, undercooked or underdone meat…"

"I know you can't see me, but I'm crossing my fingers because I'm being super careful right now while enjoying the cuisine: so, I've had two helpings of rösti, fondue savoyarde, pralines, and truffles," she replied before Spencer said anything. None with alcohol."

Spencer heaved a sigh of relief. "Just try not to have too much fun and stay safe for you and our little fetus inside your beautiful belly, okay?" a cute, sheepish look appeared on his face.

"You're cute, and I love you."

Élise spent the entire morning in her suite at the Dolder Grand Hotel reviewing her speech for tomorrow's 20th Annual IAP Conference and her press conference with the Swiss Federation's Attorney General. While checking into the lobby, she ran into an old friend from law school. She invited her for lunch and afternoon tea at the luxurious Baur au Lac Hotel, another legendary hotel that's been around since 1844.

Their table was decorated with the most beautiful white porcelain teapots and cups and filled with savory and sweet treats: a variety of freshly brewed loose-leaf teas from Länggass, fine-cut sandwiches, crêpes, scones with thickened cream and jam, and small pastries.

Élise was already on her fifth (or was it sixth) cucumber finger sandwich and now picked up a vanilla cheesecake cake from the display, carefully not to get crumbs on her new white dress. It wasn't quite the right time to slip into maternity appeal right now, but at least it covered her belly.

"How long has it been, Lise? Eight-nine years since graduation?" asked Siliva Mathis, a woman around Élise's age with a flawless peach complexion, golden red hair cut bluntly to her shoulder, amber color eyes, and attired in an orange-print maxi-length dress and low heels. "Either way, how is it being the AG to our country?"

"It has its moment. So, how is it with you? Last time we saw each other, you wanted to go into international organizations."

Silvia sipped her chamomile tea. "I did. After volunteering and interning at the Red Cross, I worked at ICC as a translator and administrative assistant for a couple of years before I ended up at the United Nations, and now, I'm an officer at the Office of Legal Affairs."

"I'm heading off to the Hauge after the conference, so as much as I love translation apps…"

Silvia gently set her teacup down. "Ik ben je meid."[1]

The team was still short-staffed two people, with JJ on her maternity leave and a coveted open spot (Hotch is still interviewing potential members). But as Rossi said before, he'd bet his money on the team anytime over any unsub, twice on Sundays.

But the case the team was called in to investigate involved an unsub who had been traveling statewide and murdered people seemingly unconnected to one another…

Or so they thought.

As much as Élise loved Switzerland, it was time to say farewell and for her to depart for The Hauge. This city has a rich culture and is the global home of the Netherlands' government, bicameral legislature, supreme court, council of state, and the living and working residences of the royal family—as well as the International Court of Justice, the UN's judicial arm, and many international governmental organizations.

Hopefully, she'll return to the country someday, though due to her pregnancy, it may or may not be soon.

The aerial view of The Hague showed all these tall buildings and yet that old-worldly story-tale vibe, like when she was in Zürich. Driving from the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to her hotel, the Hotel des Indes, there was nothing but stunning architectural styles, from the country's Classicism to Baroque to Renaissance.

Ms. de la Cruz used a pointer to point out giant, removable words on the whiteboard and funny printable pictures of a cat and a hat. "Okay, clase. Can anyone tell me what this reads out?"

"The…cat…in the…hat…"

Ms. Vargas clapped. "¡Excelente! Or rather 'El Gato en el Sombrero.'" The preschoolers, even Isaac, tried to repeat what their assistant teacher just said, although most of them mispronounced the words. "It's okay if you don't get the words exactly; that's why we keep on learning and trying."

Unfortunately, there was a link between the victims after the recently new one, an unsavory one…

Involving a hitman.

By the end of the day, it was another closed case for the team, but what they thought was just an experienced hitman was actually more than that.

A hell of a lot more…

A/N: I'll continue from the last scene into the next chapter.

[1] Dutch: I'm your gal.